Murray PHN Newsletter 20

28 January 2016

As we enter a new year Murray PHN are able to advise of a number of significant appointments to positions and developments for Murray PHN.

Medical Adviser appointments
Murray PHN has appointed Dr Sue Furphy, Goulburn Valley and Dr Phillip Webster North West Victoria as Medical Advisers. Both Phillip and Sue have had extensive careers as GPs in their local communities and we're pleased that they will help us work towards improving health outcomes in their respective regional offices. Sue and Phillip join Dr Wendy Connors North East Victoria and Dr Ewa Piejko Central Victoria and Murray PHN Medical Advisor, as our Medical Advisor team.

Interim Clinical Council appointments
In December 2015 the Murray PHN Board appointed 13 members to our Interim Clinical Council. This group will provide the important initial Clinical Advisory input to our organisation and assist with our efforts to institute our system of regional clinical advisory councils across our catchment area. We welcome these members as important contributors to our efforts and congratulate them on their respective appointments. Click here to read more.

Murray PHN | Current employment vacancies

Murray PHN has several career opportunities available across the four Murray PHN regions. For more information, including position descriptions and key selection criteria, visit the careers section of the Murray PHN website.
Central Victoria
Clinical Editor
Partners in Recovery Coordinator
Goulburn Valley
Clinical Editor
Health Systems Coordinator
North East Victoria
Clinical Editor
North West Victoria
Administration Support
Clinical Editor
Applications for all seven positions close midnight Sunday 7 February 2016.
Click here to apply online

Mental health carer support programs

The Mental Health Carer Support Program works individually with carers across the Loddon Mallee region and may provide information, support and referrals.
Click here for more details

Clinical practice guidelines for mood disorders

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) have developed these guidelines to assist the clinical management of depressive and bipolar disorders and to advise on diagnosis and treatment strategies.
Click here for more details

Carer Gateway

Carer Gateway provides information about the services and support available for people who care for someone with a disability, a chronic illness, dementia, mental illness or a person who is frail aged.
Click here from more details

Cleft lip and cleft palate scheme

From Tuesday 1 December 2015, patients no longer need to be registered with the Department of Human Services before providing treatment under the cleft lip and cleft palate scheme.
Click here from more details

Mental health peer work program

An information session is being held on Tuesday 2 February 2016 at Murray PHN to provide information on the Certificate IV mental health peer work 2016-17 program that will be delivered in Bendigo starting March 2016.
Click here for more details

High St Xray | Bendigo

High St Xray have extended their trading hours for MRI patients, with appointments now commencing at 7 am.
Click here for more details

HALT release new video

Castlemaine group HALT (Hope Assistance Local Tradies) have released a new video which aims to raise awareness of suicide prevention, depression and anxiety in the building and construction industry and the support services that can assist tradies.
Click here for more details

Echuca regional health funding

Rochester and Elmore District Health Service will receive part of the governmentÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s health service violence prevention fund to increase safety measures and prevent violence in their hospital.
Click here for more details

Immunisation requirements and resources

Immunisation requirements for child care payments and Family Tax Benefit Part A supplement changed on Friday 1 January 2016. Access immunisation information and resources (including brochures and posters) for health professionals and families on the Department of Health website.
Click here for more details

Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) review

The MBS Taskforce's first round of advice is available for consultation and it recommends the removal of 23 tests and procedures, including parts of diagnostic imaging, obstetrics, thoracic medicine, gastroenterology and ear, nose and throat surgery. Consultation closes Monday 8 February 2016.
Click here for more details

New headspace | Swan Hill

Murray PHN is the lead agency for the new headspace set to open in Swan Hill, in mid February 2016.

Ear and Eye Surgical Programme (EESP)

EESP aims to increase access to surgery for Indigenous Australians with diagnosed ear and eye conditions. Services are prioritised to people living in rural and remote locations.
Click here from more details

Helping clinicians with end-of-life patient discussions

Anyone can create a profile on the MyValues website. The profile explains a persons values in relation to life, death and medical intervention, with the aim to help family and doctors respect a persons wishes.
Click here for more details

Prescription Shopping Programme (PSP)

The PSP is a service to help prescribers make informed prescribing decisions and better manage the health outcomes of their patient. The PSP has a 24 hour, 7 day a week telephone service called Prescription Shopping Information Service (PSIS).
Click here from more details

Goulburn Valley medical workforce fund scholarships

The GV Medical Workforce Fund was established to create better access to primary health care for residents in Goulburn Valley. Sponsorships of at least $50,000 are available and applications are open. Allied health providers, practice support staff, GPs, nurses, primary care services and local secondary students wanting to become a primary care provider in the Goulburn Valley are eligible. Applications close Sunday 14 February 2016.
Click here for more details

Cognitive Dementia and Memory Service (CDAMS)

The Goulburn Valley Health CDAMS is a specialist multidisciplinary diagnostic, referral and educational service for people experiencing memory loss or changes to their thinking (cognition), and for those that care for them.
Click here for more details

Type 2 diabetes program | Myrtleford

Alpine Health is running a new six week program in Myrtleford commencing Monday 1 February 2016 to provide information and skills for managing type 2 diabetes.
Click here for more details

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) calendar > click here

Next Murray PHN CPD event

Renal update | eGFR and Drug Dosing | Bendigo

External CPD events

NSW communicable disease weekly report

NSW communicable disease reports provide a weekly summary of communicable diseases notifications, investigations and issues in NSW and are accessible online.
Click here for more details

NSW immunisations changes

From Friday 1 January 2016, the Commonwealth is making catch-up vaccinations available. A new NSW vaccination objection form has recently been released.
Click here for more details

NSW My Aged Care referral pathway changes

My Aged Care referral pathways for GPs were introduced on Wednesday 1 July 2015 to become a central, streamlined pathway for assessment and referrals into aged care services for older people. There are a number of changes taking place, particularly to referral pathways for ACATS, from Thursday 4 February 2016.
Click here for more details

Sunraysia Community Health Services | New CEO

Sunraysia Community Health Services has a new CEO. Simone Heald takes over after the resignation of Craig Stanbridge. Ms Heald is currently the Director of Nursing at Mildura Hospital and will start her new role in February 2016.

Mildura Dr helps close the gap

Coomealla Health Aboriginal Corporation (CHAC) has welcomed the organisationÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s new medical doctor Dr Nadarajah Rajeshkannan (Dr Kannan). Dr Kannan will be working full time at CHAC from February 2016.
Click here for more details

Program to fight suicide stigma

Farmers in Victoria's Mallee region who've experienced a close friend, or family member dying of suicide, or who had attempted to take their own lives can participate in the Ripple Effect a three-day digital storytelling workshop in Melbourne from Wednesday 3 February 2016. Call the National Centre for Farmer Health on 03 5551 8587

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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this newsletter is accurate. Information in this newsletter may be duplicated in other media with due acknowledgement of the originating sources. Murray PHN does not necessarily endorse products and/or services advertised in this publication.
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Murray PHN gratefully acknowledges the financial and other support from the Australian Government Department of Health.
Murray PHN ABN 92 156 423 755

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